United States : Southern California

January 17, 2011

Have you been introduced yet to Bountiful in Venice? Venice, California, that is. Very romantic finds, heavy on the French side, some very pricey, and overall not the easiest store to navigate but their pieces deliver exceptional style, plus most of what I spotted was completely functional (cough).

Looking for a stunning vintage French crystal chandelier? It's yours for a mere $2000 and up. Love big matchstick boxes (great!)? How about hand-milled soaps or a darling antique cake stand for $78?

January 14, 2011

If you're looking for some wonderful Japanese minimalism design, you'll love the original Tortoise General Store and the new Tortoise. These dual-duty boutiques are situated on the quaint Abbot Kinney Boulevard, in the artist's district of Venice, California.

These well-designed spaces offer all things from Japan like ceramic soy pots, interesting + rare art books, pretty Japanese stationary, hinoki cedar bath accessories, and other goodies, too. Their hand-dyed tenegui cloths would be terrific framed on a wall, or as napkins. I especially like to tie mine around wine bottles to give as a dinner party or house warming gift, along with the wine, of course!

This handcrafted, earthenware pot is one of the oldest and most traditional Japanese kitchen tools. It's especially made for cooking and steaming rice, can withstand high flames and be used on gas burners, and because of its thick clay body and authentic infrared effect, the rice is especially delicious.

Postalco notebooks are, simply put, indispensably chic. Using starch-pressed cotton, each piece is masterfully crafted with water-resistant treated fabric, and the company's original pin-graph blue paper, embossed with it's carrier pigeon logo. The result, love affairs formed by stationary affectionados everywhere, craving their beautiful writing pads. Available in three different sizes and five pretty colors.

By the same folks that brought us the Tortoise General Store just down the street, here's Tortoise, where you're transported to splendid Japan, and whimsical design and craftsmanship flash before your eyes.

This small but light, airy space has a unique charm and an atmosphere created for lingering. The owners + couple Taku and Keiko Shinomoto are very friendly and helpful, but also allow customers to have their space to shop around. Half of their retail space is dedicated to products with a flair for tradition, and the other half features more modern elements from ceramic designer Ryota Aoki, along with other beautiful things like Mayumi Katsuya's canvas laundry bags, Yasuki Hiramatsu's jewelry, and a cool DIY table for pique-niques and dinner soirees.

If you don't live locally, you can shop their websites for their one-of-a-kind items; they don't sell all of their home accessories online since their inventory changes frequently. If you know someone who likes Japanese design or appreciates the charm and practicality of Japanese sensibility, they'll love the Tortoise stores.

Check out my post on Intelligentsia Silverlake, if you need a refresher on this glorious kaffeehaus.

P.S. I just spent the afternoon connecting (in person!) with super talented author Elizabeth Wix, after we had been talking online for a few months. Elizabeth is a creative and vibrant woman, and she will be leading a writing workshop in Morocco from February 19-26, 2010 for a private, intimate group of 10 at the ultra-exclusive Peacock Pavilions owned by Maryam Montague of the blog My Marrakesh. Read more about it right here.

January 13, 2011

It's January 13th. By now, you've said "Diet starts tomorrow!" 7 times and have made 12 gym attempts. Don't worry, I have something you can do right now that will make you feel more fabulous than you already are, where you can indulge in activities of the non-caloric kind.

Head over to San Fernando Valley's best-kept secret beauty supply stores, where savvy makeup artists and styling gurus go to keep their star celebrities powdered and buffed with their impossible-to-find cosmetics. Sheesh. Some people are just so in the know. Are you?

Top Picks for '11

Embroyolisse Concentrated 24 hour Miracle Cream

Kiss Me Mascara Black

Stilazzianything!

Elchim Hair Dryer

Swab Plus Eye Makeup Remover

Cinema Secrets Professional Brush Cleaner

The above products you won't see everywhere - but I can't take all the credit for the beauty product selections. We need to give the good people at Naimie's, Nigel Beauty Emporium and Frends' mad props for the help. Amazing stores for the cosmetic junkie, by the way. I've been an avid customer of these supply stores for ages because I'm in Los Angeles 3-4 times a year scoping out the trends back West and heard about them way back when. If you are anywhere within driving distance to the Valley, you've got to get over there.